Gray Rocking and Bread Crumbing: Tools Survivors Need to Know

Therapists working with DV Survivors /

Understanding manipulation tactics is key to helping survivors stay empowered and safe in their abusive relationship. Dear Colleague, Two concepts every survivor — and provider — needs to understand are gray rocking and bread crumbing. When survivors know what to expect, they can protect their energy, set stronger boundaries, and move forward more confidently. Helping […]

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Navigating the Healing Journey After Narcissistic Abuse

Therapists working with DV Survivors /

Healing from narcissistic abuse takes more than time. It takes clarity, safety, and support to rebuild trust and self-worth. Dear Colleague, Guiding survivors through the aftermath of narcissistic abuse means understanding the deep emotional and psychological toll it leaves behind. This form of relational trauma is often invisible to outsiders but profoundly disruptive to a

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Signs of Emotional Abuse Providers Must Recognize

Therapists working with DV Survivors /

Not all abuse leaves bruises. Some of the deepest wounds are emotional—and they’re often hidden in plain sight. Dear Colleague, Recognizing the signs of emotional abuse is essential when working with survivors of domestic violence and relationship trauma. Unlike physical violence, emotional abuse often leaves no visible marks, but its impact can be just as

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The Power of Curiosity: A Survivor-Centered Approach

Therapists working with DV Survivors /

Curiosity, not assumptions, creates the emotional safety survivors need to truly heal. Dear Colleague, In our work with survivors of domestic violence and relationship abuse, curiosity is not just a clinical stance—it is a lifeline. When someone has lived through gaslighting, control, or emotional abuse, being truly heard without pressure can feel revolutionary. Assumptions, even

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Address Survivor’s Negative Cognitions with Care

Clinical Supervision, EMDR, Therapists working with DV Survivors /

Survivors often carry the weight of harmful beliefs shaped by abuse—beliefs we have the power to help them rewrite. Dear Colleague, Survivors of domestic violence and relationship abuse often carry deeply ingrained beliefs about themselves, born from their trauma. Phrases like “I am powerless” or “I don’t deserve love” may echo in their minds, shaping

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Signs of Healthy Relationships vs. Toxic Patterns

Relationship Abuse /

Dear Survivor, How do you know when a relationship is truly building you up or quietly breaking you down? Relationships are meant to be a source of love, safety, and growth. But when you’ve experienced domestic violence or relationship abuse, understanding what a healthy relationship looks like can feel like navigating uncharted waters. It’s not

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Why the Fear of Starting Over Holds Survivors Back—and How to Overcome It

Therapists working with DV Survivors /

April 14, 2025 Fear can cast a long shadow, often keeping survivors from stepping into the light of their new beginning. Dear Colleague, Starting over is one of the most daunting challenges for survivors of domestic violence and relationship abuse. The very thought of leaving the familiarity of a harmful relationship—even one steeped in pain

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Why Doesn’t Anyone Understand What I’m Going Through?

Relationship Abuse /

April 3, 2025 When you’re carrying the invisible wounds of abuse, it can feel like no one truly sees your pain, making the road to healing even lonelier. Dear Survivor, Navigating life after enduring domestic violence or relationship abuse is one of the hardest paths anyone could walk. But even more challenging is the feeling

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